Prince Harry Calls Parenthood an “Emotional Roller Coaster,” Eliciting Head Nods Around the World

On Monday, Prince Harry attended the annual WellChild Awards in London without his wife Meghan Markle, as part of a whirlwind visit to the UK.

During the event for the national charity that works to support seriously ill children and their families, Harry delivered a moving speech. “As a parent, I know a little about the emotional rollercoaster of parenting,” he said. “But, when I hear about the care many of you mums, dads and family members provide; the level of round-the-clock care you offer; the skills you’ve had to learn; and the battles for support that you fight every single day – I am truly in awe.”

Before the evening ceremony at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, Harry, who has been patron of WellChild for the past 15 years, met privately with some of the children who are being supported by the organization.

The awards, which were also attended by Beverley Knight and Oti Mabuse, take place each year to celebrate the achievements of seriously ill children and their families.

”The WellChild Awards is an event that never fails to inspire me,” Harry said while addressing the audience. “The stories of young people who battle against the odds, living lives filled with medical procedures, hospital stays and endless appointments, remind us all of the strength of the human spirit.”

In the past, Meghan has joined Harry for the event, but this year, he arrived solo as Meghan is in California with the couple’s children Archie and Lilibet. Harry’s attendance at the Well Child Awards on Monday follows a quick trip to New York, where he spoke at the Clinton Global Initiative’s annual summit and made an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

Next month, Harry will travel without his family again to visit Lesotho to see the work of his charity Sentebale and mark twenty years since he first visited the country during his gap year. He founded the organization in 2006 after promising to continue the work of his late mother, Princess Diana.

Despite being in the UK, Harry has no plans to see his father King Charles, who is in Scotland with Queen Camilla, or his brother Prince William who is in Windsor with his family.

Harry has not seen his father since February, when he flew to the UK following the announcement that King Charles had been diagnosed with cancer. Last month, Harry attended the funeral of Lord Fellowes, which his brother William also attended. It is understood the brothers did not speak.